Local News

Families across the Rogue Valley are invited to meet the real-life heroes during Hero Day at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon.

On Saturday, March 28th from Noon to 5 p.m., this interactive community event gives children and families the opportunity to meet first responders, explore emergency vehicles and equipment, and learn about the important roles that local heroes play in keeping Southern Oregon safe.

Children will have the chance to meet and interact with representatives from a variety of community service organizations, including the Medford and Ashland Police Departments, Medford Fire Department, Mercy Flights, Rogue Disposal, the City of Medford, the United States Coast Guard, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, including sniffer dog Deputy Brooks.

Hero Day is included with museum admission or membership. Activities will take place at the Children’s Museum and Alba Park. This event reinforces the museum’s mission of learning through play while strengthening connections between families and community organizations.

 

The Ashland Police Department, Ashland Fire & Rescue, and the Talent Police Department responded to the 300 block of Morton Street to investigate a loud explosion at 4:43 this morning. Officers found that an explosive device had been detonated inside of a parked and unoccupied vehicle, and what was thought to be a potential secondary explosive device was found inside as well. The area was secured with neighbors being advised to shelter in place. Bomb disposal techs from the Oregon State Police Department arrived on scene to assist, and verified that there was no further threat of explosion in the area. Evidence indicated that the crime was committed by a known male suspect. He had also been the focus of investigations by the Medford Police Department, and was wanted on charges stemming from said investigation. Detectives were quick to locate the suspect at a residence in the 100 block of Fork Street in Ashland and took him into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect, Michael Scott Beugli, 32, of Ashland, was arrested. Law enforcement charged him with First and Second Degree Arson, Unlawful Possession and Manufacture of a Destructive Device, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Reckless Endangering, and Reckless Burning.

 

A man known by Grants Pass Police to be wanted on a warrant was arrested Tuesday afternoon.

Law enforcement recognized Aleksandr Uchytil at the corner of SE 7th Street and SE M Street at 12:40 p.m. He had a valid and serviceable warrant out for his arrest charging him with First Degree Theft.

Officers took him into custody near 708 SE 8th Street, where they confirmed his identity. After being read his rights, Uchytil consented to a search of his person. A glass pipe was located, which he stated was for smoking Methamphetamine.

The pipe field tested positive for the presence of meth, and Uchytil was transported to the Josephine County Jail. Officers lodged him on his Police Department warrant, and a charge of Meth Possession.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman wanted on two warrants following an interview regarding a stolen vehicle Tuesday.

The suspect, Kandi Lewis, was in possession of a stolen motor vehicle related to a separate case, but it was confirmed she had no knowledge of the theft.

She was contacted by law enforcement, and agreed to meet in person for an interview. Ultimately, she was taken into custody, but for two warrants out for her arrest.

Lewis was wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for First Degree Trespass, and a Douglas County Sheriff's Office warrant for Contempt of Court. She was detained at the Sizzler after her identity was confirmed.

Josephine County had probable cause for her arrest for a charge of Second Degree Trespass, so she was given the additional charge. Lewis was then transported and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

 

A woman previously trespassed from Resting Site 6 South was arrested for Drug and Trespassing charges Tuesday.

At 11:08 a.m., Grants Pass Police observed the suspect, Jennifer Condon on city cameras in the 704 NW 6th Street site. She had been trespassed from the location by the officer March 14th.

Upon arrival, Condon was seen concealing herself behind a green tent in the southwest corner. The officer contacted and took her into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Condon was in possession of three bags. One was in plain view, and it had tin foil with a burnt residue. A search of the bag revealed a piece of foil with a brown sticky substance, later identified as Fentanyl, further confirmed by admission from Condon.

She was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for her trespassing charge and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

 

At today's Weekly Business Session, the Commissioners moved to approve a board order completing the sale of county land at New Hope Road.

During the 9 a.m. meeting, a motion to approve a resolution for the Josephine County Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 did not pass due to the lack of a second.

Topics during public comment included a request for the Williams Community Forest Project to have a meeting with the board regarding the Pipe Fork Property, the repealing of the clear bag policy, the investigation into Michael Sellers, Emergency Management, the Media Policy, and public school concerns.

The consent calendar was approved, and the meeting adjourned after Commissioner Colene Martin highlighted Public Health's upcoming blood drive Monday, March 30th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

On Tuesday at 10:57 p.m., the 911 dispatch center was notified of a fatal vehicle crash on Three Pines Road near Monument Drive. Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrived and located a single vehicle. The driver, identified as Richard David Johnson, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The initial investigation shows the vehicle was travelling towards Monument Drive and, for an unknown reason, veered off the roadway and struck a fence and a large tree. Three Pines Road was closed for approximately two and a half hours while deputies investigated the crash and had the vehicle removed from the scene. Next of kin has been notified.

 

On February 2, 2026, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office Human Identification Program confirmed that unidentified human remains found in Josephine County in 1978 were a match to Mark Smith, who had been missing since he was 19 years old.

On May 9, 1978, a logging crew discovered the partial remains near Williams, Oregon, in the area of Holcomb Peak. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to the recovery site. Despite investigative efforts, the individual could not be identified.

The recovered remains were examined by a forensic pathologist and odontologist who believed the remains may have belonged to a female between the ages of 16 and 18. Then in 2020, the investigation was reinvigorated, and missing male profiles were searched for a match. Unfortunately, no matches were made.

In the same year, the medical examiner’s Human Identification Program partnered with DNA Labs International (DLI) to pursue forensic genetic genealogy identification services.

Through 2023 into 2024, the first genealogical leads were produced by DLI and forwarded to the Human Identification Program. The program collaborated with a Josephine County medicolegal death investigator who contacted the family of Mark to inquire about any missing relatives. They confirmed he had been missing since 1974.

On February 25, 2026, DLI confirmed the family reference samples and tooth were a sibling level match, identifying the remains as those of Mark Smith. No evidence has been found to suggest foul play; however, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Smith’s death remains open.

 

The America 250 Oregon Commission is proud to announce the recipients of its third round of grant funding, with Jackson County as one of the recipients.

Nearly $60,000 are being awarded to 21 organizations across Oregon for projects and programs that commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

One recipient includes Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology in Baker, Grant, and Jackson Counties. The funds will support a series of free public programs and pop-up exhibits during SOULA’s summer field school, sharing archaeological research with rural communities through events, performances, and accessible interpretive materials.

In partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, the commission is awarding these grants in addition to the previous two rounds of funding.

The Oregon 250 Grant Program was established to help organizations create inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon’s diverse histories, traditions, and cultures. These grant awards of up to $3,000 will support programs that align with the mission of America 250 Oregon and one or more of its seven guideposts.

A fourth funding cycle will open on Monday, April 13th, at 9 a.m., and will remain open until all funds are expended. A total of $60,000 in funding is available in this fourth and final cycle, with 50% dedicated to rural communities.